The Tokyo 150 Years Program

The creativity of Tokyo, 150 years on and into the future.

It embraces the creativity of Tokyo which spans over 150 years and continues on into the future. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the renaming of Edo to Tokyo and the establishment of Tokyo Prefecture Government, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will implement the "Old meets New: Tokyo 150 Years" program. In addition to holding commemorative events and related PR projects, we will also perform various initiatives in cooperation with existing businesses and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government offices and municipalities.

Our Logo

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the renaming of Edo to Tokyo, we created the logo, “Old meets New: Tokyo 150” in order to enable Tokyo residents to re-experience the charm of Tokyo where “tradition” and “innovation” coexist.

Originating with the commemorative badge created for Big-Tokyo Festival held in 1956 and familiar to the generation of children growing up in Tokyo in the 1950s and 60s, the Kappa Badge has been revived with new designs as well. Kappa Badges sold in 1977 will be reprinted as well.

Seeing Tokyo 150 Yearsthrough Data and Photos

Hustle and Bustle of the City/Trends

Shibuya Scramble Crossing which has become the symbol of Tokyo. It is said that over 500,000 people a day, 3000 people each time, cross it. There used to be aerial cable cars there in the 1940’s. Tokyo’s vitality and new culture are created where people converge.

Ginza, where gas street lights and streetcars first appeared after the Westernization movement of the Meiji era, is where the latest trends spread to the rest of Japan. Nihombashi, a conglomeration of prestigious stores that have existed since the Edo era and the latest commercial facilities. Asakusa, a crowded entertainment area, transforming from playhouses to movie theaters with the passage of time. The town of Tokyo is where modern trends fuse with tradition and further evolve.

This is Eitai Bridge at the Sumida River. Tokyo has been the capital of water since the Edo period. As a means for transportation and for the distribution of goods, this area was filled with lively activities as a place for people to gather and relax. At the waterside of Tokyo that is moving toward the future, what kind of lively activities will they come up with next?

Ryounkaku was an observation deck in Asakusa during the Meiji era. Japan's first elevators were built there and was the downtown area landmark during the Meiji era. Over a century later came the Tokyo Skytree. The new symbol of Tokyo, the appeal of the downtown is spreading to the world.

Many people relocated to Tama after World War II. Tama was connected to the city center via steam locomotives, and the new town created a new lifestyle. Tokyo offers comfort to its residents and welcomes visitors. It has beautiful of nature and has a rich food culture. It’s the kind of place you like more, the more you get to know it.

At the beginning of the Meiji era, Edo was renamed to Tokyo, and that’s how Tokyo as a modern city was born. As a celebration, the emperor who was living in Edo castle gave sake to the townspeople of "Edo." It has been 150 years since then. Although the appearance of the city and the people have changed, the hustle and bustle of Tokyo are forever.

With the culture of vegetable farming and consumption passed down from the Edo period, the Edo-Tokyo vegetables are still being cultivated to this day. They are the root of Edo cuisine. Tokyo is the capital of food and creates a unique food culture that offers dishes from all over the world. And Tokyo’s culture is constantly evolving with the fusion of tradition and innovation.

During the Meiji period, Japanese women began incorporating Western items into their fashion, enjoying freedom in their styles. The Tokyoite creativity produces a new value by linking different elements ​​freely, mixing East and West. The ability to create a leading-edge fashion to disseminate to the world.

Rickshaws were invented when we entered the Meiji era, adding liveliness to the city. The development of transportation brought new vitality to Tokyo. Now, the fuel cell buses that use hydrogen have started running in Tokyo, for the first time in Japan. Future metropolitan transportation is already starting to take shape.

Master Craftsmanship Recognized Worldwide, Passed Down From Person to Person

Traditional handicrafts of Edo nurtured by 400 years of history. Skilled workmanship has been handed down from person to person, breathed into the lives of people, polished without pause. And now, the tradition meets the new; it’s Japanese designs and art recognized by the world.